Lynn roughed up as White Sox continue search for answers

KANSAS CITY -- The first inning of Kansas City’s 9-1 victory over the White Sox Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium told the story of this American League Central contest.

That assessment seems strange in a game where the Royals (11-27) never really were challenged, score-wise. But what a difference a few big hits could have meant.

“We had a chance to put some runs on the board in the first inning and we didn’t,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “Then, [we] came out and gave up four.

“Momentum switched right there. We had first and second, nobody out. We had them on the ropes there and [Brad Keller] was able to get out of it. Gave up four and never got back in it.”

The Royals' starter walked Tim Anderson to start the game and then issued a four-pitch free pass to Andrew Benintendi. But the rally was squelched when Andrew Vaughn, whose two-run homer pushed the White Sox to victory on Tuesday, hit into a double play and Luis Robert Jr. struck out swinging.

In the bottom of the first, after Bobby Witt Jr. flew out to right fielder Gavin Sheets, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez both doubled to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. Lance Lynn had a chance to escape the first with only one run allowed, but Nick Pratto singled to right to score MJ Melendez.

Then, Matt Duffy’s bloop single glanced off second baseman Elvis Andrus’ glove as the ball fell between Andrus and Sheets to score a third run, and Michael Massey’s single completed the four-run rally. Lynn threw 37 pitches in the first and allowed seven runs on nine hits over five innings.

The veteran right-hander was coming off solid starts against the Rays and Reds, but now Lynn has allowed 11 home runs in 44 1/3 innings and a 7.51 ERA, which is worst among qualifiers.

“A lot of mistakes in the middle of the plate,” Lynn said. “I couldn't get the ball elevated when I needed to and when I tried to go down, it was in the middle of the plate, too. A lot of things were thigh high and they made me pay for it, a lot of hits in a row. It kind of kept carrying as the game went along with the two homers. Just not good."

An eight-game hitting streak for Robert Jr. came to a quiet conclusion with four strikeouts. Robert Jr. entered Game 3 of this four-game set with a .462/.588/.923 slash line in May along with three doubles, three homers, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored.

That unstoppable stretch at the plate followed a 16-game stretch where he had a .091/.167/.127 slash line with no homers, two RBIs and two doubles. The White Sox (13-25) need this most recent version of Robert Jr. if they want to chip away at the Twins, who lead the South Siders by 7 1/2 games.

They also need to get key guys healthy. Third baseman Yoán Moncada (back) should return this weekend from his injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte, and left-handed reliever Garrett Crochet (Tommy John rehab) could be back as soon as next week at home against Cleveland.

Closer Liam Hendriks also figures to return in that Cleveland series in what should be an emotional lift for the team and the fan base, after going through treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“That’s one of the things that has affected us the most, the injuries,” said Robert Jr. through interpreter Billy Russo. “Honestly, I don’t know how many times we’ve been able to play the full team together. It’s unfortunate but it’s also baseball. I think with all those guys coming back we are going to be in a better position, definitely.”

But what position will the White Sox be in when these players arrive? A win Thursday gives them a series split, but it’s a tough split when ace Dylan Cease and Lynn were both hit hard.

“All I can say is these guys are going to figure it out,” Grifol said. “In my conversations with him, Cease says he feels good. He feels like he’s close to putting a good run together and the same thing with Lance.

“There’s a lot of baseball left … I’m looking to see these guys put it not only together as individuals but as a staff. And then give us a chance to do what we did yesterday.”